One more - the jaw-droppingly terrible (and amazing!!) opening number
"Wedding Belles"
Updated On: 6/6/14 at 02:28 PM
So they announced that this is coming to Chicago next year with Sheryl Lee Ralph, Karen Zeimba and Barbara Walsh with a book by Rupert Holmes and Linda Bloodworth Thomason. How much is this show gonna be like a forgotten episode of "Designing Women"?...
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/07
It looks like the creative team agreed with me that there needed to be a new writer for the book. While I'm glad they realized what did not work 5 years ago I still don't think this musical has potential.
Broadway-Bound FIRST WIVES CLUB Musical to Premiere at Chicago's Oriental Theater, Spring 2015; Linda Bloodworth Thomason on Book, Simon Phillips to Direct!
Updated On: 6/30/14 at 11:40 AM
Is it definitely the same three leads? The announcement didn't say anything about casting.
A strong whiff of "9 to 5" redux swirls around this enterprise. "9 to 5" has a much stronger story, better plotting, a real villain, and a stronger zeitgeist (women in the office: timeless). The dumped woman for the trophy wife was fairly tired at the time of the film, the movie carried by the stellar casting. Watching three top flight B'way actresses fill the shoes of movie stars -- we've seen that. Has it really worked recently? This show has one thing going for it: the title. But so did the one I mentioned and a couple that closed this season. One wants to wish them the best -- maybe this is the show that will break the curse. But it's weighted with a lot of been there/done that baggage.
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/07
I liked Parton's music in '9 to 5'. I really enjoyed 'Shine Like the Sun' and 'Get Out and Stay Out'. When I went to see the national tour in 2011 there was not much I remembered from it. However, Diana Degarmo who played Doralee did not scream as much that night compared to the time I saw her in 'Brooklyn'. '9 to 5' at least had life after Broadway, despite only running for over 100 performances. It even launched a tour in the U.K.
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/07
"It'll have ballads. Our people will have to sing," she explains. "I've been casting in New York and Hollywood, but not picked anyone yet. Stars aren't a requisite. I'm looking for talent. I'm seeing actresses that sing great, do comedy and can get hilarious while hitting a high note."
Bloodworth-Thomason, who also penned 1996's 'First Wives' movie, continues, "It's a talksicle. It's funny and takes place in '92. It's not 'Designing Women,' because that dumb culture's over. It's the feminine side of the '90s. But we didn't use the old script. Didn't even reread it. I don't do rewrites."
The writer, a close friend to Bill and Hillary Clinton, also shared that the power couple are excited to see the project come to fruition. "The Clintons said they'll come to whichever opening we have. It'll be Chicago, best theater in the heart of the country, for six weeks. Our goal's New York next fall."
Linda Bloodworth-Thomason Reveals Details of Broadway-Bound FIRST WIVES CLUB: 'It's a Talksicle'
I just read this entire thread and am having trouble catching my breath.
Thanks, ABB2357.
I just dug up this thread so I could read eye witness reactions. I am probably seeing this in Chicago, and I am way to excited. I want it to be 1 of 2 things, genuinely good, or so terrible that it's brilliant.
Unless they've redone literally every aspect, I think you're in for the latter.
Secretly I hope it is the latter. I love Campy shows!
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/07
Big fan of Carmen Cusack and Faith Prince's, but they are both better than this musical. Not too familiar with Sherrill.
https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Faith-Prince-Christine-Sherrill-Carmen-Cusack-Will-Lead-Broadway-Bound-FIRST-WIVES-CLUB-in-Chicago-20141105
Per the press materials, this new incarnation of the show will incorporate Holland Dozier Holland hits like "Stop in the Name of Love" and "Sugar Pie Honey Bunch" amongst the new material written specifically for the piece. Yikes.
Yikes indeed.
Sometimes when I'm down I reread this thread because it brings me great joy. I almost wish I could get to Chicago to see this, I love a good trainwreck.
That casting makes me SO happy! I adore them both!
What happened to Audra and Sherrie and the other lady?
I'm oddly curious about this. I honestly didn't have the interest in spending money on Amazing Grace, but this one I'd probably see.
Phillypinto-
That was a benefit reading of the screenplay. They were never connected to the musical.
.....and with the addition of Faith Prince, I'm in! I'll be seeing this in Chicago at least twice.
Sounds truly terrible.
Tickets are on sale! Also they released the first promo!
The First Wives Club Photo Shoot
Not really a fan of the new artwork, I much preferred the artwork for The Old Globe production. Mainly because the women below don't look anything like the actual actresses.
The picture didn't post. How do I post one on a thread?
Updated On: 12/10/14 at 07:01 PM
Sorry this is so small, but it's the only one I could find.
That's heinous.
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/07
Other Edelman, I'll have to say is "meh".
Husbands of Broadway-Bound THE FIRST WIVES CLUB Cast; H.B. Barnum, Kenny Seymour Join Creative Team
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